2019-06-11 P&E Agenda - Item 7 - Attachment 1 - Environment Strategy

     Strategy 1.2 Expand vegetation networks and habitat

     Target                                                    To this end, Council has an active acquisitions program
                                                               and a private landholder conservation program, funded
     By 2030, half of all land in the Noosa Shire is managed   through the Environment Levy.
     for its environmental values
                                                               Rehabilitating and restoring habitat connectivity across
     An extensive protected reserve system across Noosa        the landscape enables fauna movement, enhances
     Shire plays a critical role in conservation management    genetic diversity, and facilitates species and habitat
     for the region, and this is continually growing.          migration. Consolidating core protected areas and
                                                               biodiversity corridors is an important focus for Noosa
     Impacts from development, vegetation clearing,            Shire in the face of a changing climate and predicted
     encroachment into habitat areas, and fragmentation        changes in the distribution of plant and animal
     of vegetation across the landscape put pressure on        populations.
     ecosystem health and species survival. In addition, the
     projected changes to Noosa’s climate are expected to      Noosa is also fortunate to have many private
     further undermine the resilience of many local systems.   landholders with a strong commitment to conservation,
     Many patches of vegetation in the hinterland areas        carrying out work on their land. Over 300 of these
     are important ‘stepping stones’ for species but are       landholders are members of Land for Wildlife program
     vulnerable to edge effects such as weeds, and land-use    and there are 19 landholders who have placed voluntary
     encroachment.                                             covenants on their land to secure its permanent
                                                               protection.
     Expanding and linking core protected areas into areas
     of high biodiversity significance helps protect vital
     ecosystems from encroachment or fragmentation by
     development and also enhances connectivity.




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